What are the principal themes in “The Old Man and the Sea?” Discuss.

Answer

What are the principal themes in “The Old Man and the Sea?” Discuss. [2021] ✪✪✪

Or, What are the major themes in “The Old Man and the Sea?” Discuss. [2017] 

Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) wrote “The Old Man and the Sea” in 1952. It tells the story of Santiago. He is an old Cuban fisherman who struggles against a giant marlin and later against sharks. The story is rich in profound meanings. Through Santiago’s life, Hemingway shows human courage, pain, pride, and hope. The novel deals with great universal themes such as perseverance, suffering, pride, and the circle of life. Each theme grows naturally from Santiago’s experience at sea.

Perseverance: The first and strongest theme in the novel is perseverance. Santiago does not give up, though he has failed for eighty-four days. He says, 

“Fish, I’ll stay with you until I am dead.”

This shows his strong willpower. He goes further than other fishermen to prove his skill. When the marlin pulls his boat day and night, he holds the line tightly. His hands bleed, but he does not stop. Santiago fights both the great fish and his own weakness. Even after the sharks eat the marlin, he does not lose his faith. 

Pain and Suffering: The next important theme is pain and suffering. Santiago’s hands, back, and shoulders are full of wounds. The line cuts him deeply. He feels hunger and thirst, yet he never complains. His suffering makes him noble. The narrator says, 

“He felt the line with his right hand and noticed his hand was bleeding.”

This shows his hard struggle and his patience. His three wounds remind us of Christ’s suffering. Santiago’s pain becomes a test of faith. Like Christ, he endures silently and continues to fight.

Pride and Honor: Santiago’s pride is also an important theme. His pride gives him the strength to go far into the sea. He is poor, old, and alone, but his pride makes him brave. He wants to show the boy